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Will Power is the driver to beat in IndyCar qualifying after posting the best time in practice at Mid-Ohio on Friday. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Will Power quickest in IndyCar practice at Mid-Ohio

August 1, 2013

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Will Power led practice Friday at Mid-Ohio with a lap of 1 minute, 5.4332 seconds. Scott Dixon, who has won the past three IndyCar Series races and two in succession at this track, was second at 1:05.4469.

Reigning series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was third at 1:05.5018.

“It has definitely hard for me to get the car right this year -- period -- for me," Power said. "It's hard for me to understand why, so this is definitely on the right track here. We got a good time at the end there. A few mistakes during the session, but we are narrowing it down. We would love nothing more than to start on pole here, and have a chance to win a race. It would be unbelievable. Good so far and we keep working hard.

“It's such a hard year competition wise. So many good guys out there. We're still not quite on top of things; we still need to work some stuff out.”

Luca Filippi, a former GP2 runner-up replacing Alex Tagliani in the Barracuda Racing car, was fifth in his first official day of practice. His best lap was 1:05.7364.

Rookie James Davison, also competing in his first IndyCar event, was 20th among the 24 drivers with a lap of 1:06.4680 for Dale Coyne Racing. Davison is a former Indy Lights runner-up.

Practice and qualifying is Saturday with the Honda Indy 200 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network).

“I think qualifying is just about everything here," Power said. "This race has changed now, it won't be a two-stopper. It is going to be a three-stopper, so it's not like it used to be with a lot of fuel saved. Qualifying to me is everything. It is just so hard to start back in the field here. You really do need to be running in the top-five or six.”